On April 1, with the support of 12 industry ambassadors, High Point x Design, the organization dedicated to transforming High Point into an everyday design destination for the trade, co-hosted Design’s Night Out at the historic Magnolia House. Recently redesigned by Greensboro-based firm Vivid Interiors, the former North Carolina Green Book hotel, a safe haven for Black travelers during segregation, is once again open for business. 

“The goal was to help bridge history to design in a tangible way and create a diverse community event for connection,” said Marie Cloud, owner of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio, who also serves as HPxD’s Diversity & Inclusion Chair. After spending time with Magnolia owner Natalie Pass-Miller, Cloud proposed an event to HPxD’s board. “What Natalie and her team have done is monumental, and it should be on display for the world to see and celebrate,” Cloud adds. Many HPxD members contributed product to the redesign, and the eve of Market presented the opportune moment to reveal Magnolia House to the industry.

About 150 people attended the cocktail mixer, where guests toured the inn and gathered for a round of toasts. Miller greeted the crowd of designers and told the story of Magnolia’s rich past and bright present, alluding to future plans for a museum. She then passed the mic to HPxD managing director Jane Dagmi, who called each ambassador, plus a few special guests, up to the front to share words. 

DNO ambassadors included Don Ricardo Massenburg of Design Inkredible, Joy Williams of Joyful Designs Studio, Quintin Tate of Twenty Sevyn Interiors, Malik Logan of The Tailored Interiors, David Santiago of Strictly Santi, Ellen Gefen of Gefen Marketing, Gina Hicks of Vivid Interiors, Ariene Bethea of Dressing Rooms Interiors, Ashley Ross of Muse Noire and Business of Home’s editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen.

Also on hand to celebrate were Breegan Jane, Everick Brown and Lisa Walker Brown, Justin Shaulis, Tristan Gary, Christopher Grubb, Rachel Moriarty, co-founders of The Kaleidoscope Project Amy Lynn Schwartzbard and Patti Carpenter, Shane Jones of Sherwin-Williams and Nick May of The Chaise Lounge podcast.

“It was a magical evening of design and history coming together in the house that soul built,” said Pass-Miller. “It was a whole vibe and a great way to kick off Market!”

Images by AV Creatives